Mary A. Carlson, 90
Mary A. Carlson, 90, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Dec. 27, 2010, at Coeur d'Alene Homes from natural causes.
Mary was born in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 6, 1920, to Peter and Mary (Waligura) Baumgartner, she was the youngest of four children. The family moved to Coeur d'Alene when she was 2 years old, and resided in the fort grounds in the former officers quarters house on what is now the North Idaho College Campus.
Mary attended IHM Academy and worked at the city library. She married Carl Carlson in 1942 and after his induction into the Army, followed him to California and Texas until he was shipped overseas. Following the war they lived in Newdale for a few years, but soon returned to their beloved North Idaho where they made their home in Coeur d'Alene. They spent 52 happy years together before he passed away in 1994. Mary was a homemaker, gardener, seamstress and the local "haul the neighborhood kids to wherever they needed to go" person. She enjoyed bowling, and had a large collection of trophies. In her later years she conscientiously worked on crossword puzzles, as she said, to keep her mind sharp and she always had a dog by her side. She will be remembered for her fierce independence, humor and most of all her generosity.
She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Carlson of Sedro Wooley, Wash.; son Rick (Ruth) Carlson of Plains, Mont.; grandchildren Allisa Carlson of Seattle, Wash., Patrick (Amber) Carlson of Grafenwohr, Germany, Alan (JoAnna) Carlson and great-granddaughter Cadance of Potlatch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Eugene and her sisters, Harriet and Elsie.
Viewing will be held from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene. Funeral service will be held at noon Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Coeur d'Alene, and burial to follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial back at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Coeur d'Alene Homes or Hospice of North Idaho.
Please sign Mary's guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.